Introduction :

OData (Open Data Protocol) is a term that we frequently hear nowadays while dealing with sap Fiori and sap UI 5 applications. I

t is being used in other places also. It is one of the transmission control protocol which is an OASIS standard that defines a set of building and consuming RESTFUL API`s ( Application Programming Interface ).An Open Protocol to allow the creation and consumption of queryable and interoperable API`s in a simple and standard way.

OData helps you focus on your business logic while building RESTful APIs without having to worry about the various approaches to define request and response headers, status codes, HTTP methods, URL conventions, media types, payload formats, query options, etc. OData also provides guidance for tracking changes, defining functions/actions for reusable procedures, and sending asynchronous/batch requests.An open protocol to allow the creation and consumption of queryable and interoperable RESTful APIs in a simple and standard way.

An open protocol to allow the creation and consumption of queryable and interoperable RESTful APIs in a simple and standard way.

Learn various Programming Languages at one place such as C,C++,JAVA,HTML and CSS Programming etc.Here you can also learn about Basic networking,Search engine optimization and web-designing etc.so Just Google it

Basic Description

The Word REST stands for Representational State Transfer which is nothing but the technology that is generally preferred to more robust simple object access protocol (SOAP) Technology. Robust because it leverages less bandwidth usage and hence more suitable for internet usage.

An API ( Application Programming Interface ) for a website or an app is a code that allows two software programs to communicate with each other. It is the program that requests the hosted services.

An API is required when we want to consume the services that are running or hosted on the other web servers rather than installing the huge redundant hardware devices as per the demand that fulfills our purpose. This can be understood by the following examples:

As we are creating the weather app for the mobile device. Now the app needs to be dynamic, that is the weather needs to change as per the environment. That we need to have some sensors to collect the data for weather. Also, there can be one approach that we install sensors at different locations across the globe for collecting the data. This will be very costly if we go like this. The second approach can be contacting some vendor/service provider that can share the required weather information.

Now as our app is ready that means we have a ready design for use and we just need some data to make the response dynamic. We can get that data from the other hosted servers dedicated for this purpose using communication interfaces such as REST API`s.

Data Format

Now the data we receive from other serves need to have some specific format that is structured so that it can be easily understood.In case of REST API, this data format can be JSON(JavaScript Object Notation) or XML(Extensible Markup Language).

Communication Using REST API

In Our Example here we need weather information. That may contain data such as city name, humidity level, temperature etc. Now all this data can be contained within one object or specific to one object ( instance) here that object is "weather object" which is related to whether class. As we know that each and every object has some properties such as state, behavior etc. So if we need weather data we need to first set up a connection to the specific port of the server where a particular service is running and then we need to capture the state of the object weather which is nothing but the representational state. Now, this representational state is being transferred using some communication channel called an API.The state information can be transferred in JSON or XML format.

Apps are popular, and a great number of consumers around the
globe regularly use their smartphone as part of their daily life. Mobile users
can download apps covering all kinds of subjects and purposes. App developers
have accomplished a lot when it comes to app development, as their advancements
have taken apps to innovative places, with excellent and creative ideas
happening along the way. The competition among app developers is increasing, of
course, as consumers grow evermore reliant on their smartphones to accomplish
tasks related to both their professional and personal lives.

It's critical that any mobile app developer expert know what
the latest trends are in the realm of app development so they're able to keep
up with the competition and possibly even pull ahead so they can make engaging
apps for mobile users. Let's talk about six critical trends in particular that
you should consider before the development of a mobile application.

Ensure app security

Security is easily the most crucial factor if you develop an
app. Developers need to make sure that any app they create is safe for its
users, so they have protection from cyber attack or viruses. Any kind of
carelessness or lapse in an app's security can create damage to an app's data.
Apps need to be put through security tests to make sure that their safety is
assured.

Use cloud technology

The use of cloud technology in apps isn't just trendy, but
actually very useful for mobile users. It helps them use apps across more than
one device and even more than one kind of device. These apps need to be
developed in ways that let them sync with other devices easily by using the
cloud. It's very beneficial to users to be able to access similar functions and
features through their mobile phone app as they can on other devices.
Businesses can benefit when e-commerce apps that are used on smartphones can
also be used on tablets, for instance.

Provide a robust user
interface

As an app developer, you need to consider the app's user
interface as you develop it all. Apps that are designed for websites have
different kinds of user interface features and elements as compared to an app
for a mobile piece of technology. Android and Apple phones both have their own
correct user interface guidelines, and you need to adhere to them. Use
appropriate icons and widgets on your app. Also, make sure there is a menu
included.

Take advantage of
Android Instant

Android Instant is definitely a top trend in the world of
app development. It's something that lets mobile users run their apps
immediately without having to first download or install that app.

Use AI

Artificial Intelligence is a growing trend in the industry of
app development. It can include things like IoT and virtual personal
assistants. It's advantageous to make use of this particular app development
technology.

Include digital
mobile payment options

A huge trend right now is letting mobile users make app
payments on their phone, so include digital mobile payment features. Many
mobile payment apps are in use around the world already. Successful examples
include Android Pay, Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, and Google Wallet. Just make sure
that your mobile payment app features are as safe as they can be considering
they will be used for financial transactions.

Don’t delay in building a mobile app for your business! More
apps are added to the IOS and Android store daily. Invest in mobile app
development to make your business available to your target audience on
their devices.

2017 was a significant year for eCommerce, as several new
and impressive tweaks were integrated to online firms. And as we are heading to
2018, the technological developments are taking new twists. Below are the top eCommerce
trends for 2018 that will dominate eCommerce businesses in the upcoming year.

Big data and
analytics are more precise

Big data and analytics have changed most business areas, to
help them get the best out of their efforts. Nowadays, most of the actions
taken by consumers can be converted into some sort of data; and that
information will give e-commerce websites more insight into their target group
of people.

Both the parties are poised to analyze customer demand;
bring out extremely personalized user experience and optimize pricing
structures in future. The massive amount of data gives way for actualizing a
diverse digital marketing culture that is related to the specific intentions.

In that accord, online marketers will understand when and
where to channel personalized marketing, and native marketing accordingly. And
in the end, it also enhances the predictions of marketing endeavors.

Mobile usage will be
a force in eCommerce

With the development of technology, most people have a phone
or tablet today. People usually search for goods and services and even buy them
through these devices as opposed to desktop computers.

From surveys, over half of the eCommerce sales are seen to
be actualized over mobile devices; and it is expected to rise exponentially
over the coming years, which will significantly affect the online
establishments.

The surge in the mobile market will prove to be the
trendiest thing next year. According to Goldman Sachs, the world revenue share
that would be held by mobile eCommerce could span to about $626 billion.

Supply chain
management is more subjective

Supply chain management has a considerable impact in the
eCommerce industry, which is quite volatile to deal with. This area is undergoing
major improvements, eventually standing out as one of the potential giants in
the eCommerce trends next year.

Three essential factors fuel these adjustments:

Automation - Automation and process integration assists
firms to dissipate a clear and straightforward transition of commodity and
information flow.

Data sharing - The data, for instance, the details
concerning the availability of stock, information about shipping and consumer
details are availed throughout the supply chain process.

Customer –Centricity - It is essential to understand your
customers' targets, tastes, and traits. Effective supply chain management will
be reliant on the mentioned aspects to improve its efficiency.

Micro-moments
marketing are making headlines

When consumers dig for information about a commodity or
check the instructions, there are some specific touching points, which are
referred to the micro-moments. Designed by Think with Google, the micro-moments
are one of the top eCommerce trends that are going to be dominant in 2018.

Their insatiable need for immediate fulfillment and the
always-on access to data through mobile devices is behind this trait.
Therefore, moments, for instance, I want to do this, but this, go here, and
know this and others can be detected through their smart mobile devices.

For them to satisfy customer needs, eCommerce sellers take
proper actions concerning the customer’s micro movements. This assists to
precisely predict customer actions and behaviors. Huge brands are already laying
their offers, taking advantage of these moments.

Voice assistant
research

Voice assistants have grown significantly regarding
popularity and desirability in the last couple of years. It is undeniable that
people are significantly using voice-activated digital assistants such as Apple
Siri, Google Assistant in their day-to-day activities.

Usually, they trigger them to action by just talking and ask
them to execute some purchase related tasks. Permissive to it, client research
concerning the items they would like to purchase, and even request for the
balances while using the voice assistants.

A survey done recently implied that close to 40% of
millennials are already venturing into voice assistant research when they want
to purchase a commodity. Therefore, it holds water to be a significant thing
the eCommerce world.

In that accord, the mouse and keyboard will be eliminated
slowly while the voice searches make a massive rise to prominence.

Messenger
applications and chat bots supplement firms

The world chatbot market has garnered a staggering 24.3% of CAGR
(Compound Annual Growth Rate); over 45% of users ponder using chatbots as their
first pick, for customer service concerns. Yes, we are in a time where
messengers and chatbots rule!

Chatbots give online businesses an upper hand by directly
interfacing with the entire batch of customers, in a real-time and authentic
manner. Aside from that, online sellers can utilize them as well.

Moreover, their integration capability with messenger
applications helps to avert app fatigue. Therefore, it is undeniable that the
chatbots, integrated with messenger apps will be tremendous players in the
e-commerce in 2018.

Improved UX/UI for
enhanced eCommerce Utility

An eCommerce firm's success relies on how the commodities
are presented and how straightforward it is for clients to understand them. The
two crucial matters can be dealt with by User Interface (UI) and User
Experience design parts.

The UI/UX design has become better over time, and we should
expect some major updates with sounder enhancement. This will significantly
reduce the annoying poor aesthetics and bring out more responsive layouts. In
that respect, we will be prompted to:

Prioritize mobile-responsive design, since mobile gadgets
are turning out to be the primary source of product information and purchases.

Offer navigation links to compare commodities with those of
other firms to bring about competence. Align your business with an eCommerce design agency to
improve your business’ digital assets.

Conclusion

eCommerce trends are continually preparing for an improved
client acquisition and retention process in recent years. Not adjusting by
these trends could prove to be costly. Therefore, online firms should be on
their toes, analyzing the new trends and also developing new creative ideas to
stay ahead of the competition. Be extra keen on eCommerce trends for 2018 and
be ahead of your competitors in the business world.

The recent data
breach of information giant Equifax underlines the harsh reality that finance
companies have to face – when it comes to protecting consumer data, size
doesn’t matter. The financial services industry remains under constant threat
of cyber attacks.

In the Equifax case,
hackers were able to access the personal data of 143 million customers, reports
CNN. The breach occurred when the attackers gained access to the company's
Apache Struts software – used to develop its online dispute center web
application.

Following the attack,
it was reported that the U.S. Department of Cybersecurity had alerted Equifax
and other users to the Apache system vulnerabilities at least a month prior to
the attack, yet the data conglomerate failed to take immediate action to patch
holes. The shocking headline is a reminder of the importance of continued
monitoring and safeguarding a company's network infrastructure.

Among those
identified as susceptible to the cyber threat were broker dealers, financial
advisers, private funds, and investment management firms.

26% of advisers and
funds (collectively, “investment management firms”) examined did not conduct
periodic risk assessments of critical systems to identify cyber security
threats, vulnerabilities, and the potential business consequences

57% of investment
management firms examined did not conduct penetration tests and vulnerability
scans on systems that the firms considered to be critical

Cyber Security Best Practices

Many SMBs in the
financial services industry are wondering what they can do to keep their
network safe and secure. By following a standard protocol and by following the
best cyber security solutions for
financial businesses, you can feel rest assured you will be armed and ready for attackers.

Train Your Employees – Appoint a cyber
team leader to schedule periodic training meetings. If your firm works with
outside IT specialists, the appointed team leader will work closely with your
outside cyber security team to schedule office visits and train employees on
security systems.

Consider An Off-Site
Cloud Server Data Management Center – The most proactive security measure
your firm can take to safeguard its data network is a cloud server-based
solution. This is sophisticated data solution that employs the around-the-clock
monitoring of data management center to service your servers, storage, and
applications.

Proper Detection And Elimination Tools

The threats are real
and they are unstoppable. Attackers troll the web 24/7 - on the lookout for a
way into your company’s data infrastructure. However, malicious spyware,
ransomware, and malware can be detected and eliminated before it causes any
serious or permanent damage.

By implementing
proper detection and spyware elimination tools finance companies are able of
keeping customer data out of the hands of cyber hijackers. Your cyber security
team or IT Specialist needs to be ready to act immediately to carry-out your
cyber security guidelines to catch suspicious activity and suspected threats.
Also, ensure that periodic risk assessments are performed on a timely basis.

Expert IT Specialists

The types of methods
deployed by cyber attackers are constantly shifting and evolving, presenting a
challenge for cyber security professionals. To stay ahead of threats, work with
a dedicated team of cyber security specialists.

--AUTHOR INFO—

This is the Guest Post Written by Stephanie Rowan who works as an IT Consultant at NIC. And I think he is an expert in Information Technology after receiving such a nice drafted article as a gust post from him.

The future of all aspects of our culture and
society will rely on advancements in IoT technology and big data. While big
data and IoT technology are two different technological concepts, each is
directly related to each other, and the future of each are tied to each other.

IoT technology will allow individuals and companies to connect various aspects
of their life through devices that communicate with each other through an
Internet connection. These devices will open new possibilities to help
individuals accomplish their personal goals, along with allowing businesses to
increase efficiency in all areas of operation.

IoT is the technology that focuses on
collecting massive amounts of information from individual devices. However, the
information that is collected is only as good as the ability to analyze and
interpret the information based on specific criteria.

Big data is a vital component for the
advancement of IoT technology because big data provides the capability to store
and analyze massive amounts of data to find specific patterns and make sense of
all the information collected.

Big Data Is The Backbone For IOT
Technology

As technological advancements continue to
speed ahead, IoT technology is seeing a big push in capabilities and
integration into cultures across the globe. The progression of the web is a
system of physical items which could be retrieved through an Internet
connection.

These connected devices and sensors are being
integrated into everyday products like cars, thermostats, and dishwashers. As
more devices become connected, sensors are becoming embedded with technology that
can interact with other sensors across all aspects of the environment.

IoT will continue to collect more data, and
big data processing will help make that information more relevant. Here are
three ways that IoT technology and big data will improve the future of
connected devices.

1. Improved Data Quality

It’s easy to collect massive amounts of
evidence, but it's hard to ensure the quality of data as the volume increases.
Even more, data scientists are finding it increasingly difficult to analyze and
interpret data as the stream of incoming data increases at the same time.

Big data and IoT is the rise in the quantity
of information which will hit the information storage framework for personal
and business applications. Data centers will need to utilize advanced data
processing practices to ensure there is the appropriate capability to analyze
data in real-time, especially at peak periods.

2. Big Data Will Increase Cloud
Computing

Taking into account the massive effect IoT
will on information storage infrastructure, organizations have started to move
towards the Platform-as-a-Service version, a cloud-based alternative, instead
of relying on physical storage centers on-site.

Unlike, in-house info systems which will need
to be continuously updated as the information load rises, PaaS offers flexibility,
scalability, compliance, along with an elaborate architecture to
store all valuable IoT data.

Cloud storage alternatives include private, public,
in addition to hybrid versions. If a business has sensitive information which
is subject to some regulatory compliance conditions that need heightened
security, utilizing a personal cloud are the ideal plan of action. For other
businesses, a hybrid or public cloud may be used for the storage of IoT data.

3. IoT Technology And Big Data
Will Drive Personalization

In a world driven by technology, the ultimate
goal of IoT technology and big data is to provide a personalized experience on
an individual basis. No longer will people read a generic marketing message.
Instead, businesses will be able to engage with individual customers based on
unique qualities and input as defined by data submitted from their IoT devices.

For example, the popular Nest thermostat will
find patterns for the temperature of a home based on the season and specific
preferences of a household. This information can be used in conjunction with
other data points like air filtration systems to provide personalized product
recommendations based on allergenic, seasonality, and other factors not
available to businesses or consumers today.

Another example of IoT making communications
hyper-personal is the fact that IoT technology will reshape how we commute
throughout our day. Instead of physically driving, autonomous car technology
will allow us to engage with interactive media. This means that companies will
have a new opportunity to speak directly to their customers and customize Internet marketing message based on geographic
location, final destination, and other factors.

Personalization is only possible if IoT technology and big data systems work together
to collect and process information in a way that makes that data meaningful.
These two technologies will allow a new level of customization and
personalization in all areas of life.

IoT And Big Data Will Focus On
Security Concerns

Security concerns will continue to be at the
forefront of technology. The ability for hackers to break individual devices
that are collecting data will be an issue, along with, the security of data
centers and big data processing locations. All of these points present
potential security concerns for individuals and businesses that utilize IoT
technology.

IoT is a new and quickly evolving specialty,
which means that many data specialists lack the technical know-how and best
practices to secure information collected and stored by IoT devices. Attacks of
any type can endanger more than just information. There's
also the risk of damage to the apparatus on the network.

Within this sort of world, it is going to
become necessary for businesses to make crucial changes to their safety
landscape. IoT apparatus will come in assorted sizes and shapes and will be
found beyond the network, but also has to have the ability to communicate with
corporate programs.

The future of technology looks bright as we
continue to see advancements in IoT and big data. These technologies will
continue to impact our lives in ways we might not have even thought of yet, but
if technology leaders keep the future in mind then we will keep seeing the
benefits of this technological evolution emerge!

--AUTHOR INFO—

Chris is a Digital Media Strategy Consultant who helps small business owners grow their business with SEO and PPC Management Services. He is passionate about digital marketing, emerging technologies, and transportation issues.

When
a hard drive eventually fails, for the vast majority of end users it can come
as a real shock. Panic begins to set in, then you realise you did not back up
the vast majority of the files on your hard drive.

Trying
to fix it is the natural cause of action, especially if you have important data
on it that you would like to access. But the chances are, unless you have some
understanding of exactly what causes it or what you’re doing, there’s very
little that you can do to fix it.

If
you’re fortunate and most of the drive has remained to intact, then the problem
could be caused by the printed circuit board (PCB). A damaged PCB is usually
caused by a power surge which inadvertently overheats the drive. In situations
like this, you can take the drive to a computer technician who can repair it by
replacing the PCB with a working one.

However,
there are those other circumstances when things can be a little more difficult
to gauge what is what.

Determining What Causes the Crash

When
you experience a hard drive crash, the first thing you’ll want to do is
determine whether or not the crash was logical or physical. This can be quite tricky;
though there are some tools that you can use to monitor your drive, letting you
know when there may be potential problems with it. If your computer crashes and
refuses to boot up, such circumstances can be caused by both physical and
logical failure.

If
your computer refuses to boot up, and you hear clicking, grinding or whirring
sounds, that is a good sign that the cause of the failure is physical. At which
point, you’d want to power the system down and consider physical repair
solutions.

That
said, as I touched on earlier, there are many tools that you can use to predict
when your hard drive is going to fail, these tools do that by reading the
S.M.A.R.T (Self-Monitoring, Analysis and Reporting Technology) data that is
recorded by the operating system. Unfortunately S.M.A.R.T is known for being
quite unreliable when it comes to predicting hard drive failure as the drive failure
will usually occur before the S.M.A.R.T warning kicks into action. If you have
a hard drive that is working, but you’d like to keep tabs on its health, then
there are a number of tools that you can use to do that. So be on the lookout
for them.

Logical Hard Drive Failure

Logical
failure typically occurs when the hard drive is fine, health wise, but you are
unable to access your operating system. There are many different factors that
can cause this. A corrupt system drive, a malicious file or human error, all
are capable of causing a drive to crash. When you experience a failure on this
scale, cloning or imaging the computer will usually not work. Utilising
professional data recovery software is your best option, although there is a
Check Disk tool that you may want to try (assuming you can boot into Windows).

Accessing
this tool is as simple as doing the following:

1.
First, boot into your computer with full administrative rights.

2.
Then press Windows Key + R, type … into the Run Command box
and click on OK.

4.
This will load up Hard Drive Properties,
from here, click on the Tools Tab,
and then click on the Check Now
button under Error-checking.

5.
When the Check Hard Drive applet
appears, tick the box next to automatically
fix file system errors and scan for
and attempt recovery of bad sectors, then click on Start.

One
thing you must keep in mind is that, just because you are unable to access the
data on a crashed drive, it doesn’t mean the data no longer exists. The option
that you choose to take will be determined by how important the data on the
drive is to you.

Physical Hard Drive Failure

If
the crash of your hard drive was due to a malfunction, there is still a good
chance that the data on it is still intact and accessible. The best giveaway
for a physical fault is clicking and grinding noises whenever you turn the
computer on, never mistaken these sounds for a malfunctioning cooling fan. In
most cases the sounds will be relatively loud, however in some other cases you
may be required to open up your PC case to hear the sounds.

If
you are still able to boot into the operating system while the hard drive is
making those noises, it’s possible that you could clone or copy the hard drive,
but it will come at a risk. Do not try booting up the computer then using an
external hard drive to copy the files from your active faulty drive, as this
will stress the drive out even more. Your best solution is to remove the drive
altogether and put it in a working computer as a secondary drive and use Data
Recovery software to clone or copy its contents.

If
you are able to retrieve the data on it, then you’re done. Next thing you’ll
need to do is purchase a new hard drive and install your operating system and
applications on it. This process can take some time, but is not too difficult.
Alternatively, if you were able to clone your drive, you could simply copy the
contents of the old drive to your new one. That way you won’t need to reinstall
anything, just install the drive as your primary and you’re good to go.

Conclusion

Its
best that you do not rely on software or those tell-tell signs to let you know
when, if ever, your drive will fail, as it is most likely that it will fail
unexpectedly, without any signs or warnings. You’re best option is always to be
one step ahead of these incidences, by backing the data up on your computer
constantly.

--AUTHOR
INFO—

Uchenna Ani-Okoye is a former IT
Manager who now runs his own computer support website where he writes
extensively on failing hard drives and other computer related issues and topics.